Best of the Week 2021-2022: Teaching to the Future

ROBOTICS & PROGRAMMING STUDENTS PUT THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON THEIR CUSTOM-MADE T-SHIRT CANNON

Robotics, Programming and Design students are putting the finishing touches on their year-and-a-half-long project, creating a robotic T-shirt cannon. From the start, students took the lead on this project from outlining the rider's wooden base, experimenting with new air systems, and creating rotating mechanisms, to writing codes, installing computer mechanics, and configuring arduinos and relays to help the robot run smoothly. "Our students have overcome many challenges including, but not limited to, design flaws, air leaks, electrical malfunctions, programming errors, COVID protocols restricting continuity of student participation, problem solving materials, and more. They have utilized 3D modeling skills, programming creation and troubleshooting, social media content creation, and fabrication skills," says Engineering & Technology Department Chair JC Froelich '08. "The T-shirt cannon is currently being run through its final testing phase to work out any bugs, but has already shot a tennis ball approximately 100 yards. It features a fully rotational top turret with an independent driving base." With finishing touch-ups happening over the next month, students will be doing cosmetic updates and waterproofing work to unveil the finished T-shirt cannon in the early spring.